NOVEMBER 23, 2024 — Northern Ireland Commonwealth Games officials are advocating for a new flag to replace the Ulster Banner and the Union flag at future Games, citing the need for inclusivity and broader representation of athletes from the region, The Belfast Telegraph reports.
The proposal will be a key issue at the Commonwealth Games Northern Ireland (CWGNI) Annual General Meeting next week.
Chief Executive Conal Heatley and Chairman Stephen Martin, a former Olympic gold medalist, are leading the initiative. They argue that the current flags do not reflect the diversity of Northern Ireland’s athletes.
In their position paper, CWGNI proposes that a new flag should be created by the Northern Ireland Executive, aligning with recommendations from the 2020 Flags, Identity, Culture, and Traditions (FICT) report. The report outlined the development of a civic flag to represent the region’s societal diversity and emphasized the responsibility of elected officials in its creation.
Heatley stated that CWGNI would submit a white flag with its logo for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow if a new flag is not introduced by then.
The proposal has been discussed with groups such as the Northern Ireland Youth Forum, with Heatley noting that the Ulster Banner is not recognized by some younger residents and is viewed as exclusive. He acknowledged potential opposition but highlighted the lack of legal status for the Ulster Banner and its divisive nature within parts of the community.
“We’ve given fair warning,” he said. “We are hopeful the Executive will have something in place by March 2026. But if there isn’t one, we have no other option.”
Several sports personalities and officials have told reporters that they will “vehemently opposed” this change.
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